Landing on Italian soil is always a joy but nowhere makes my heart sing quite as much as Tuscany. Some put it down to the light, others the magnificence of the art and architecture in what are surely some of Europe’s best-loved cities. For me, however, rather than the larger towns and cities such as Florence, Siena and Pisa, Tuscany’s true hidden gems are the small towns and tiny hilltop villages.
If you’re keen to get out to some of the less touristy towns, renting a car is a must, but on the plus side, this does mean you’ll also get the chance to drink in some amazing views of the Tuscan countryside. However, be sure to rent a small car – medieval streets were not designed with larger vehicles in mind! These are some of my favourite small Tuscan towns and villages, and what’s special about each one.
Iconic Wines
Wherever you go in Tuscany, you’ll never be far from a glass of outstanding wine, but in some towns and villages, wine permeates their very existence. In the medieval and Renaissance town of Montepulciano, beguiling Renaissance palaces and wine production go hand in hand, and an abundance of wine bars makes it possible to easily intermingle culture with the odd glass of ‘Vino Nobile’.
Less than 45 minutes’ drive away, at the hilltop town of Montalcino, the big attraction is the view over the surrounding vineyards, and, of course, the chance to try the town’s iconic Brunello red wine. But you can while away a couple of pleasant hours effortlessly, strolling through the town which is dominated by a full circle of fortified walls and formidable castle.
Tuscany’s Chianti region is slightly further north, with the town of Radda in Chianti lying right at the heart of the wine country. You’ll find a large selection of local wineries and enotecas but Radda is also worth visiting for its cobbled streets and 16th century Palazzo del Podestà. Finally, the town of Bolgheri in the far west of the region is another interesting stop for wine lovers. The town has an old historic centre with an imposing castle but the main attraction is the region’s Super Tuscan wines such as Sassicaia.
From the Etruscans to the Renaissance
You’ll find fascinating traces of the past in every village and town in Tuscany. Several towns were principal Etruscan cities but it was the region’s organisation into independent ‘comuni’ during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance that resulted in the existence of so many historic towns. These ‘comuni’, or municipalities, were frequently at war with one another, resulting in multiple fortified, hilltop-walled towns.
Strong traces of Etruscan, Roman and medieval history pervade towns such as Cortona, Chiusi, Volterra and Arezzo. Cortona is probably the busiest of the four, propelled into the limelight with the release of Under the Tuscan Sun, but nevertheless, still one of Tuscany’s most impressive hill towns. For a quieter introduction to the Etruscans, head to Chiusi, a sleepy town to the south of Tuscany, and one of the most important cities of the Etruscan empire.
Arezzo’s past also dates back to Etruscan times while its central square has dominated the city since Medieval times. Its Basilica di San Francesco is home to a series of frescoes by Piero della Francesca, one of the great artistic contributors to the early Renaissance.
Other hill towns with interesting histories include Fosdinovo and Monteriggioni. We visit both of these tiny hilltop villages and their astonishing castles, on one of our Tuscany walking tours.
And finally, Pienza, deemed to represent the model Renaissance town in terms of planning and layout. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring its winding streets and piazzas and take time to sample the pecorino cheese for which the town is so well-known.
Arts and Crafts in Tuscany
Volterra is one of my absolute favourite Tuscan towns, often overlooked by tourists but one which offers some superb sightseeing opportunities. Highlights include the Duomo and Baptistery, ancient Etruscan walls, a Roman theatre and Tuscany’s oldest town hall, the Palazzo dei Priori. But thanks to the presence of large natural alabaster deposits, the town is also well known for its alabaster carving. You can visit historic alabaster workshops and numerous shops selling everything from bowls to jewellery.
Just 20 miles or so to the east, the Colle di Val d’Elsa also has a long tradition of craftsmanship. The town’s upper part, Colle Alta, home to medieval buildings and the 12th century Santa Maria in Canonica church, is renowned for its craft shops and glass workshops. You can find out more about its glassmaking history in the Museo del Cristallo.
Thermal Springs in Tuscany
The tiny village of Bagno Vignoni in the Val d’Orcia is quite unique. Like nearby San Quirico, the village was a stopping place for pilgrims en route for Rome. Where other Tuscan towns have a central piazza framed by, perhaps, a Duomo and medieval palazzi, the main square in Bagno Vignoni comprises a large thermal pool surrounded by small stone walls.
You can’t enter these waters but there are several other locations in the surrounding countryside where you can experience hot springs, such as the Bagni San Filippo.
Please Join the Conversation:
Have you ever visited any of the smaller towns in Tuscany? Would you recommend them? What did you like about them the most? Can you recommend any other small town or village in Tuscany or elsewhere in Italy?
